Bud Norris is exactly the type of guy who would own the pirates early this season and in seasons of the past (or at least it seems like it to me).

It seems to me like they always have trouble with guys who are having sub par seasons ERA-wise, but who have good strikeout arms.

Liriano, Scherzer early this season, Bud Norris in the past, Homer Bailey off the top of my head. I don’t know if there’s any data to back my claims up, but it just seems like i can predict when the pirates will get owned because of this.

Ryan–I’ve heard others criticize the Zoltan thing, but, really, who gives a crap what they do, as long as they are winning? I don’t. More power to them that they are having fun with it. Lots more other things that are important to worry about, or cheer. And watch the movie with the dog scene, and you may change your mind.

@ Ryan – No worse than the Brewers doing the “monster” thing to each other last season. According to something I read Neil Walker was saying early in the season they could not find anything to watch in the clubhouse and came across the movie “Dude Where’s My Car”, many had not seen it in a while and they watched. The players were commenting on how silly it was then they saw the Zoltan and started doing it and it stuck.

To me the best part of it is it seems to bond the team, a rallying cry of sorts I guess, to that I say whatever works.

Witness protection! Priceless! What ticks me off is that they have essentially shortened their bench by two players between Gorkys and Mercer. At least Gokys is a good late inning defensive sub. I’m sure mercer will only see the field if barmes, j-Hay, and Sutton all come down with the flu.

Well if karstens strikes out 10 guys that is at least 30 strikes…ya right. I’m going to continue to stay away from the window. My luck in betting is terrible and my heart wouldn’t let me pick against the pirates in any way. So my optimism plus bad luck would mean betting the Pirates favor all the time and losing, which likely would mean the team would lose so ya, i don’t want a bucco colapse to be on my head.

I’ll take the OVAH for the max for all three lines – 100 golden nuggets for Line 1 and 2
250 golden nuggets for Line 3

Its good to be back at home, couldn’t get on yesterday and not until now today.

It will be interesting to see if DemonDachshund bets the OVAH or UNDAH on line 3, he used to tell me, he missed the Stillers glory years, then he gets to go see the Stillers win Superbowl No. 6. He got me a ticket, but I chickened out.

Bucs went from a “potential” great fielding, speed OF (Cutch, Pres, Tab) to this tonight. Cutch will need to cover line to line on defense. Like Sutton’s and Jones’ bat but their defense/speed leaves a little to be desired, especially towards the notch. Go bats.

@ Playoffs – Good afternoon on potential sweep day for the Bucs. Boy have your lines gotten interesting at times. So a two play Thursday is in line, time to try and tackle these and make up some ground as I have become the Cincinnati Reds of this contest.

Line 1 – What a line to attempt to pick. My research shows that in his three considered full starts, Jeff Karstens has thrown 54,60 and 62 strikes most recently. Those all came in games he threw between 85-95 pitches which appears to be his max 95 ish range. So a slight up trend. But how bout this for a cool stat, exactly one year ago today on July 5, 2011 Jeff Karstens started against these same Houston Astros. In that game he threw 95 pitches, 72 for strikes in a 5-1 win earning him his seventh win of the season. I believe he attacks the zone against a weaker opponent again tonight.

I will take 100 on the OVER for Line 1

Line 2- Well looking back at the past 10 games or so the Bucs have struck 8 times a few times and over the number a couple of time including earlier in this series against the Stros with 13 K’s on Tuesday night. In addition Bud Norris struck out 8 in 6 IP in his only other start versus the Pirates this year and comes into the contest with 82 K’s in 79 IP.

The Bucs have had their share of problems with strikeout pitchers…so for line 2…. I will take 100 on the OVER.

A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which —
(a) Is struck at by the batter and is missed;
(b) Is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone;
(c) Is fouled by the batter when he has less than two strikes;
(d) Is bunted foul;
(e) Touches the batter as he strikes at it;
(f) Touches the batter in flight in the strike zone; or
(g) Becomes a foul tip.

Quick question for you. Any word on the fates of Moskos or Slaten? Have they cleared waivers yet or have they even been posted? Also, when is a decision needed on Leroux and whom does he replace in Pittsburgh? Thanks as always.

DK: No, and that word only comes from the Pirates after the 10 days are up. Leroux’s decision is due very soon, per what Neal Huntington told Rob Biertempfel today.

Today is Leroux’s day——they have to put him on 25-man roster by tonight or DFA him. His 30 day rehab assignment runs out today. (Designated for Assignment——have 10 days to put him on waivers or trade him or release him. Can retain him and send him to Minors after 10 days only if no one else claims him and he agrees to go.)

Nor Cali Ryan,

I’m with you . . . . . . San Fran is the only city that give the ‘Burgh a run for its money. To see it from Alcatraz is amazing! Certainly #2!!!

I put my 250 on the OVER for line 3 last night. As said in that thread, the Bucs have a very friendly second half schedule. I’m not saying that they’ll make the playoffs, but you have to absolutely LOVE their chances of getting to 82 wins.

Seems as if this knee thing is lingering quite a bit for Barajas, second time he has been a late scratch from lineup in past few days. Don’t mind seeing the Fort back there with as hot as he has been though.

Karstens looks silly tonight, his stuff is crisp and his pitches have great down and in movement. I really think he is the key piece to this rotation as he has shown in flashes he can be a # 3 type guy.

Those who think the Zoltan thing is dumb, I understand. I never saw the movie and so it means nothing to me. The only chance I really have of ever seeing the movie is if the legendary ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000′ (and alumnus) features it on one of their dvds.

But I also had no love whatsoever for disco, (late 70’s), and thought that ‘We are Family’ was a dumb song. Heck, I was listening to Deep Purple & Led Zeppelin in those days (and still am). I would have thought ‘Smoke on the Water’ or ‘Dancin’ Days’ would have made for a much better anthem.

But, if it keeps the players united, and loose and playing better, they can have whatever they want. I’ll play along like I did with Sister Sledge.

They joke about who can toss the slowest breaking pitch in the locker room. It’s Jeff. He also doesn’t complain if assigned bullpen duty. A working man. Perfect for Pittsburgh, or any squad that’d give him an audition with no preconceived notions.

@ Vette60 – Enjoy the game, should be a good one, has been quite awhile since two top division teams have played in the ‘Burgh in July. J-Mac versus Vogelsong should be a good pitching matchup as well!

Drew Sutton always makes me think of Frank Sutton, who played Sgt. Carter on Gomer Pyle. Whenever Drew Sutton gets a hit, I always say “‘Py-Le!!” in the same annoyed way Sgt. Carter used to say it. After that pick-off, you can bet I said it again.

@Playoffs, any chance to get in on the second half wins before this game is over? I haven’t been able to read the above, yet. If I can, I would like to go OVER for 250. Thanks. If not, my loss. Go Bucs!!!!!

I like Clint but I totally disagree here. Now I’m not even nearly as comfortable with Hanrahan in there. The Astros can’t solve the starter, I keep throwing him at him.
The double play though just helped me breathe again. Good defense!

And behind 8 terrific innings turned in by Jeff Karstens tonight the Pirates complete the four game sweep of the Astros and move 10 games above the .500 mark with a 2-0 shutout victory and there was noooooooooooo doubt about it.

The Pirates will begin the final series before the All-Star break tomorrow night against the Giants with Erik Bedard taking the hill in game one of the set.

Let’s Go Bucs and Let’s go Padres and move 2 games up in the standings!

I tend to assume we’re all local Pittsburghers on here. But I see that is not really the case at all. It’s so cool to see the widespread love for baseball and the Pirates in places far from me. and it’s fun to share our mutual enjoyment on Dejan’s blog in real-time.

Got wins from our 4-5 starters for the second straight turn. The Pirates really making a move here. Huge homestand in process. Bedard, McDonald and Burnett coming up. Bedard is due to win one even if It will take 3 1/2 hours.

And so much for the Bud Norris nemesis. He pitched well, but Jeff Karstens pitched evenb better and Garrett Jones & Casey McGehee continue to do what good teams need – guys picking up each other and helping out the big bombers McCutchen & Alvarez on a night when they are just human.

We won, but I get nervous lately when Hanny comes in to pitch. I don’t know why they lifted Karstens anyhow. He deserved to finish the game. Hanrahan couldn’t find the strike zone, and even threw a wild pitch, which put a runner on third. I still think he should throw a few curve balls, if he knows how to throw a curve. GO! BUCS

Alen Hanson is a 19 year old SS in our system….Maybe you’ve heard a bit about him….Just looked him up….He has 15 homers and is 5’11″and weighs 152 pounds….Are you kidding???….Brock Holt is a smaller dude, as well and is raking in AA……Lots of decent postition players scattered throughout the minors……